PILOT TECHNICAL LABORATORY FOR APPLIED ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH

VALORIZATION OF GLASS WASTE IN ISLAND TERRITORY.

DOWNLOAD

COMPLETE PROJECT

THE PROBLEM

In the Galápagos Islands, only recyclable glass waste is transported to the mainland, while non-recyclable waste remains in the local landfill. This model generates:

Logistical costs
Structural dependence on the mainland
Emissions associated with maritime transport
Lack of local transformation

The island territory currently does not have a technical laboratory that scientifically evaluates the controlled melting of recycled glass under real operating conditions.

There is no documented data on:
Actual energy consumption of melting furnaces
Thermal behavior of recovered glass
Local operating costs

Technical feasibility of experimental production

Environmental policy decision-making requires evidence.

Today, that evidence does not exist.

PILOT PROJECT OBJECTIVE

Protecting Nature Together

Implement an experimental technical laboratory to assess the operational, energy, and economic feasibility of the thermal valorization of glass waste in San Cristóbal – Galápagos.

During an eight-month pilot phase, controlled processes will be carried out for:

Technical classification of glass
Crushing and granulometric preparation
Thermal melting in an industrial electric kiln
Recording energy consumption and thermal behavior
Generating replicable data

The objective is to provide technical evidence, not to create a commercial product.

SUMMARY OF THE PILOT PROJECT METHODOLOGY

The Zakawsay Pilot Program is developed under a controlled experimental approach aimed at generating verifiable technical evidence on the thermal valorization of recycled glass under insular conditions.

The process is structured into five progressive phases:

Classification and preparation
Selection of glass by type, color, and physical condition, verification of contaminants, and coding for traceability.
Target: Minimum classification of 250 kg over eight months.
Crushing and granulometric control
Controlled fragmentation and separation into standardized categories (fine, medium, and coarse).
Target: Experimental processing of at least 200 kg.
Thermal fusion trials
Application of differentiated thermal curves with recording of temperature, duration, and material behavior.
Homogeneity, stability, and deformation will be evaluated.
Target: 30–45 documented cycles.
Annealing and stabilization
Reduction of internal stresses through controlled cooling and basic structural evaluation.
Energy measurement
Recording energy consumption in kWh per cycle and energy-to-material ratio, a critical variable in insular territory.

All trials will be documented in a structured technical logbook, enabling result comparison and the definition of preliminary parameters adapted to San Cristóbal.

The objective is to establish replicable technical foundations, not to produce at a commercial scale.

SUMMARY OF EXPECTED RESULTS AND DELIVERABLES

At the end of the eight-month operational period, the pilot will generate verifiable technical evidence on the transformation of recycled glass in an insular territory.

Operational laboratory
Technical infrastructure installed and a structured recording system fully operational.
Experimental evidence
30–45 documented cycles and preliminary validation of functional thermal configurations.
Real energy data
Measurement of 100% of the cycles and estimation of consumption per kilogram processed.
Preliminary technical protocol
Consolidated database and guidelines adapted to insular conditions.
Strategic outcome
The pilot does not produce commercial goods.
It produces applicable technical knowledge.

This evidence will help reduce uncertainty regarding the feasibility of local glass valorization in San Cristóbal.

TOTAL INVESTMENT REQUIRED: USD 34,000

Estimated reference amount for the implementation and operation of the pilot technical laboratory during eight effective months of experimental execution in San Cristóbal – Galápagos.

CONTRIBUTE TO THE GLASS RECYCLING PILOT LABORATORY IN GALAPAGOS

Your donation funds controlled technical trials and specialized equipment to validate the local transformation of recycled glass in San Cristóbal.

The pilot project includes 30–45 experimental trials over an estimated period of 8 months.

Total pilot cost: USD 34,000

All donations are processed exclusively through PayPal, a global financial services provider operating under international digital security standards. PayPal uses advanced encryption technology and anti-fraud protection systems to ensure the security of every transaction.

You can donate using your debit or credit card, even without creating a PayPal account.

Donate